Saturday, January 12, 2013
January 11. The one where I just put some miles behind me.
Today's run was an easy run, simply 45-60 minutes. I just did a little 4.5 mile around the neighborhood. 10:02 pace. I've been working really hard this week. Tomorrow's log run will probably be tough.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
January 10. The one where I slay my workout.
So today was a dreaded speed day. GAH! I had a 1 mile warmup, 1 mile at a 9:10 or better pace, .5 mile recover, repeat 2x more, and a cool down. I really wanted to try to relax my body and concentrate on moving my legs until they burned. It totally worked. Speed mile 1 was an 8:45, 2 was an 8:37, and 3 was a whopping 8:31! That is super fast for this old girl!
Tomorrow is just 45-60 minutes, easy easy pace. I'm going to drive somewhere pretty and just enjoy myself!
Tomorrow is just 45-60 minutes, easy easy pace. I'm going to drive somewhere pretty and just enjoy myself!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
January 9. The one that goes up & down, up & down, up & down.
Which is worse? Hill work or speed work? Personally I struggle more with the speed. I have a real mental block when it comes to pushing myself all the way to maximum. I almost wonder if I'll ever reach my full potential. Not because I don't do the training, but because I don't do it hard enough.
I was thankful that today was a hill day. 1 mile warmup, hill repeater x12, 1 mile cooldown for a total of 4 miles. I'm sorry but you just can't NOT feel like a badass after sprinting up a hill 12 times. I kinda dig it.
I was thankful that today was a hill day. 1 mile warmup, hill repeater x12, 1 mile cooldown for a total of 4 miles. I'm sorry but you just can't NOT feel like a badass after sprinting up a hill 12 times. I kinda dig it.
January 8. The one where I grumble and workout in my underwear.
Today was a cross-training day for me. The post I put on Facebook read something like this: "I really should go workout. **eyes elliptical machine hatefully**". That pretty much sums up how I feel about doing anything other than running outside. I'll grumble and complain and put it off. Then I do it anyway.
I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and did leg stregthening exercises. And yeah, since no one was around, I did it in my undies. What?
I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and did leg stregthening exercises. And yeah, since no one was around, I did it in my undies. What?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
January 7. The one I cut short.
I knew this 7 mile tempo run was going to be a problem in less than a quarter mile. #1. I'd run 11 miles the day prior, and had no recovery day. #2. The veggie pizza I'd eaten the night before was NOT sitting well, if you know what I mean.
My tempo runs are supposed to be at a 9:20 or faster pace. I felt tight and tense even after my warmup, so I was doubtful I'd hit that goal pace. Interestingly, the first two miles were a 9:00 and 9:11, even though they were hilly. Then the tummy rumbling started. By miles 5 & 6, I was running 10 minute miles. It's hard to relax and run when your butt cheeks are squeezed so tight a slip of paper couldn't slip between them.
At mile 6.6 I was done. Like really, really done. I was only a half mile from my house, but I knew if I ran another step I was going to do something that would cause me to have to throw away a pair of Lululemon crops. And I am very attached to my Lululemon crops. Let's just say I walked. I made it, and let's leave it at that, shall we?
My tempo runs are supposed to be at a 9:20 or faster pace. I felt tight and tense even after my warmup, so I was doubtful I'd hit that goal pace. Interestingly, the first two miles were a 9:00 and 9:11, even though they were hilly. Then the tummy rumbling started. By miles 5 & 6, I was running 10 minute miles. It's hard to relax and run when your butt cheeks are squeezed so tight a slip of paper couldn't slip between them.
At mile 6.6 I was done. Like really, really done. I was only a half mile from my house, but I knew if I ran another step I was going to do something that would cause me to have to throw away a pair of Lululemon crops. And I am very attached to my Lululemon crops. Let's just say I walked. I made it, and let's leave it at that, shall we?
Sunday, January 6, 2013
January 6. The one where I reveal my torrid love affair with my running coach.
Okay, maybe not an actual love affair, but she is pretty awesome. Let me tell you why I am a better, stronger, faster runner...
On April 1st 2011 I started the Couch to 5K program, worked through Bridge to 10K and by early 2012 I was training for my first half marathon in May and had registered for my first full marathon (the Marine Corps Marathon) in October. I'd done this all on my own, logging the miles recommended by the apps and later Hal Higdon for the half marathon training. I slimmed down from a 14 to a size 6 and was proud of my progress.
Then that whole Half incident happened. It was hot, it was hilly, it was a longer run than I'd ever attempted. I'd registered to have my splits posted on Facebook automatically, and my friends watched my splits get longer and looonger. I do not even remember miles 7-12, I must've been walking and running after the crowd like a skirted zombie runner. It was awful and my finish time was 2:42:55.
I was at a low point, intimidated by the marathon distance I had in front of me, and had lost all forward momentum. I hired Katie at Off Da Couch Training the next week. She asked me a gazillion questions about my running history & goals. She formulated a plan made just for me, taking into consideration my current capabilities. But most of all she believed I could do it. No question was stupid to her, and she answered every single one of them. I'm pretty crazy and OCD about running, so it couldn't have been easy either.
I did complete my marathon, and yes, it was hard. Yes, it was a long way to run. But I never once doubted that I'd finish, because Katie had given me all the training, confidence and support I needed to succeed. And I came out of it eager to sign up for my next marathon. Richmond Marathon 2013, woo-hoo!
Oh, and I also came out of it a LOT faster. In December I completed a half marathon on a course in the same city as my first and encompassing many of the same major hills (if not a few more). I completed it in 2:11:31, over thirty minutes faster than the one 7 months prior. To me, that's huge.
If you've been considering a coach to help you with your running goals, whether it's to just finish a certain distance from 5K-Ultra or to improve your PR, you should really look farther into it. And I'd be remiss if I didn't plug my own personal coach, because she's totally killer. Katie at www.offdacouchtraining.com, thank you for all you've done to help me achieve my goals. Oh, and do you think you could coach me all the way to Boston? Kthxbye.
For the Janathon challenge: this morning I logged a happy, sunny, fun 11 miles.
On April 1st 2011 I started the Couch to 5K program, worked through Bridge to 10K and by early 2012 I was training for my first half marathon in May and had registered for my first full marathon (the Marine Corps Marathon) in October. I'd done this all on my own, logging the miles recommended by the apps and later Hal Higdon for the half marathon training. I slimmed down from a 14 to a size 6 and was proud of my progress.
Then that whole Half incident happened. It was hot, it was hilly, it was a longer run than I'd ever attempted. I'd registered to have my splits posted on Facebook automatically, and my friends watched my splits get longer and looonger. I do not even remember miles 7-12, I must've been walking and running after the crowd like a skirted zombie runner. It was awful and my finish time was 2:42:55.
I was at a low point, intimidated by the marathon distance I had in front of me, and had lost all forward momentum. I hired Katie at Off Da Couch Training the next week. She asked me a gazillion questions about my running history & goals. She formulated a plan made just for me, taking into consideration my current capabilities. But most of all she believed I could do it. No question was stupid to her, and she answered every single one of them. I'm pretty crazy and OCD about running, so it couldn't have been easy either.
I did complete my marathon, and yes, it was hard. Yes, it was a long way to run. But I never once doubted that I'd finish, because Katie had given me all the training, confidence and support I needed to succeed. And I came out of it eager to sign up for my next marathon. Richmond Marathon 2013, woo-hoo!
Oh, and I also came out of it a LOT faster. In December I completed a half marathon on a course in the same city as my first and encompassing many of the same major hills (if not a few more). I completed it in 2:11:31, over thirty minutes faster than the one 7 months prior. To me, that's huge.
If you've been considering a coach to help you with your running goals, whether it's to just finish a certain distance from 5K-Ultra or to improve your PR, you should really look farther into it. And I'd be remiss if I didn't plug my own personal coach, because she's totally killer. Katie at www.offdacouchtraining.com, thank you for all you've done to help me achieve my goals. Oh, and do you think you could coach me all the way to Boston? Kthxbye.
For the Janathon challenge: this morning I logged a happy, sunny, fun 11 miles.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
January 5. The one where I make something up.
Today was technically a rest day. In the interest of doing some sort of exercise everyday I enjoyed a brisk shopping trip, including at least a mile between Kohls and Best Buy. Plus, I did go to the gym today. It was to cancel my membership, but... whatever.
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